Around the NFL: Shazier makes impressive preseason debut for Steelers

Ryan Shazier let Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler sprint by him before the rookie Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker gave chase.

Ryan Shazier let Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler sprint by him before the rookie Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker gave chase.

The moment Chandler appeared to be open down the seam, EJ Manuel lofted a spiral in Chandler’s direction.

Shazier, from Ohio State, needed just two steps to close the gap on Chandler. One well-timed leap and the 15th pick in May’s draft had the ball in his hands. By the time he was tackled more than 25 yards downfield, the Steelers were in Bills territory — and any concerns about Shazier’s banged-up right knee were long forgotten.

In the span of a half during Pittsburgh’s 19-16 win on Saturday night, Shazier did more than make up for the week he lost while nursing his knee back to health. He offered proof he’s ready to handle his role in what the Steelers hope is a defensive revival in 2014.

Shazier’s first game in an NFL uniform included 11 tackles, his interception and an accidental post-play collision that sent Bills rookie receiver Sammy Watkins to the trainer’s room because of bruised ribs.

Shazier missed Pittsburgh’s exhibition opener against the New York Giants and wasn’t cleared for full contact until

48 hours before facing the Bills. As impressive as he was on Saturday, he insists he’s still not quite himself.

“I just got back to practice two days ago,” he said. “I don’t feel you can be 100 percent with that amount of practice.”

As easy as he made it look at times, he is well aware he’s just one very raw cog in a machine that’s looking to return to form after a subpar 2013.

“I feel like it was still a difficult defense, still a lot of complicated things in it,” Shazier said. “But I feel like I have a lot of great guys around me, helping me learn.”

Bengals’ special teams struggle with penalties

Bengals special-teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said he saw too many penalties called on his players during Cincinnati’s 25-17 loss to the New York Jets in an exhibition game on Saturday.

The Bengals were flagged for five penalties on special teams. They have been called for eight special-teams penalties this preseason.

“Penalties are killing us,” Simmons said. “We get ourselves in bad position, and they are dumb errors.”

Notable

Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Sam Baker will miss the season after suffering a torn right patellar tendon against the Houston Texans on Saturday. ... Peyton Manning passed for 102 yards in his two series, leading the Denver Broncos past San Francisco 34-0 to spoil the 49ers’ debut at Levi’s Stadium.